Be Determined

“While Jesus was preaching God’s word, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat.” Mark 2:2-3 NLT


Imagine being the paralyzed man. No way to get around or to see what the hustle and bustle was about as Jesus entered Capernaum. You could only see from a distance the crowds flocking to the home where Jesus was sharing God’s word. You could feel the excitement, but knew you wouldn’t be a part of it. Once determined you hollered “Help!” for years. Now you're too weary to ask again.

The disabled man must have felt alone. He was viewed as an unclean outsider by most. He wanted to live, to have a full life, yet there he sat watching life happen from a distance. Not only paralyzed physically, but also from his internal fears of what others thought.

Enter four determined men. They see a need in their paralyzed friend. They pick him up along with his dirty mat and carry him. They didn’t just cart him to the outskirts of the crowd. They were so determined to bring their friend face to face with Jesus that they carried him to the roof, dug a hole through the roof and lowered him on his dirty, dusty mat right down in front of Jesus. They had brought this man and placed him at the foot of his Savior.

Where do you see yourself in this beautiful story?

Do you feel as if you are the unclean disabled person paralyzed by circumstances in life? If so, know I am praying God will send determined special friends your way to lift you and carry you to the foot of the cross. There your Savior will meet you face to face.

Or maybe you are a determined friend. If so, I am praying God will open your eyes to see those who no longer have the strength to make the journey to the foot of the cross by themselves. Upon seeing, may you be the friend that reaches out to carry them to where the excitement of Jesus lives and can be seen.

Either way, being carried to meet Jesus or carrying another to the foot of the cross, it is a precious journey.

Be determined.